The Long Term Effects of Some Common Volatile Substances (Acetone, Benzene And Kolla) on Brain, Liver and Kidney: A Study on Albino Rats and Human

This work was done to study the chronic toxicity of some common volatile substances on kidney, liver, and brain. The present study was divided into experimental and human parts. In the experimental part, 120 adult albino rats of both sexes weighing 200 ± 20 gm were divided into four groups each contained 30 rats: groups I, II and III received chronic doses of  acetone,benzene, and kolla (its major component is toluene) respectively, and group IV was control group. After twelve weeks urea, creatinine, SGPT, and SGOT were done for control group and twenty rats of the other three groups, then these rats were sacrificed and histopathological studies were done for kidneys, livers, and brains.The other ten rats of the first three groups were left without any substance inhalation, and after two weeks the biochemical and histopathological studies were done for these withdrawal groups. The human study was done on sixty volunteers grouped into four groups, each included 15 persons: acetone group (from furniture varnishes workers), benzene group (from gasoline stations workers), kolla  group (from kolla addicts), and control group . Biochemical studies were done for all volunteers. The results revealed that, rats experienced hyperactivity then became calm in all groups. Biochemical analysis revealed: significant increase in urea and creatinine in kolla group and significant increase in SGPT and SGOT in acetone, benzene and kolla groups. After withdrawal, the results revealed significant decrease in urea and creatinine in kolla group, and significant decrease in SGPT and SGOT in  benzene and kolla groups, but still high than normal in acetone. Abnormal histopathological findings were shown in brain in the three groups which partially improved after withdrawal. Abnormal histopathological findings of the kidney specimens were recorded but improved after withdrawal .Also abnormal histopatholgical findings of the liver specimens were recorded in the three groups, which partially improved after withdrawal. As regards human part, the persons were complaining from drowsiness and mild anxiety in acetone group and chronic cough in benzene group. There were slurred speech, lack of attention, talkativeness, and euphoria in kolla addicts. Biochemical analysis  revealed: significant increase in urea, creatinine, SGPT and SGOT in kolla group, and insignificant difference in urea and creatinine and insignificant increase in SGPT and SGOT in acetone and benzene groups. It is concluded that, these substances have dangerous effects on brain, kidney and liver and it is recommended to limit the wide spread exposure of persons to these substances at work and  persons who are addicted to these substances and doing periodic investigations for these persons to detect any early  affection to these organs.